The Cost of a Shortcut: My Mistake and My Comeback

This post isn’t about playing victim or crying for sympathy...it’s my raw truth. I made mistakes here on Hive, and I’ve been learning the hard way ever since. But I’m not running. I’m staying, growing, and rebuilding....one post at a time

I Am Learning the Hard Way, and I Can’t Leave Now
Yes, I can’t just leave now.

Why am I saying this?

Recently, I have been receiving downvotes from one of the big whales in this space. I doubt if you have noticed earlier how I haven’t been earning anything from my recent posts because they are all declined. But is earning really that important at this moment? No!

Or should I say that it was my wish not to receive rewards from my posts? But that’s because my previous actions here left me with such a decision, in order to make things right. So, I am learning the hard way now. And I want you to learn from my mistakes.

I am not really trying to justify my actions in any way—God forbid!! But I just want to pour out how this situation has affected me. And if care is not taken, I might continue to suffer it for as long as my stay here is allowed.

So, last year, I started using AI to make my content. Although not all of the content was made with AI, some was. Here’s how it all started: my academics—lack of time and resources—as my school schedules took almost 98% of my time. Coming back from clinical postings and having to attend lectures for close to four hours every day made no space for me to think clearly and make my articles myself. This resulted in employing AI to make the content. And yes, this was the foolish and greedy mistake I made that has ruined a lot for me today, all because I wanted to keep up with my daily blog without considering the implications.

But it didn’t last long before the Hive Watchers flagged those articles, when they verified that the content from me was not original but AI-created. I was blacklisted. I was told to appeal if I wanted to use my account again as usual. I felt, initially, that the punishment was too heavy for me. And remember, the appeal must last for 30 days, with at least a post every day. I know I haven’t done the right thing by using the AI tool, and rules must be followed if I want to stay. Hence, I have to tell myself the truth and see this as an opportunity to grow and learn—especially in the area of managing my time with studies and Hive.blog.

I regretted my action, which led me to this punishment. But maybe this was a path for me to grow and take time to learn what needed to be learned. So, kudos to the Hive Watchers, and I appreciate their work on this platform.

When I began the journey of the 30 days of daily content-making for my appeal, at first, it wasn’t easy for me. Honestly, I was struggling to lay my hands on what to write. Imagine coming back from the hospital after clinical posting and then going straight to class for lectures. And after the lectures, I must be feeling so tired to make a post for that day. But I have to always encourage myself, since I know how much Hive means to me. With this, I am motivated to use my last energy to make my article before I sleep for that day.

In the middle of this appeal, I was really improving with brainstorming ideas on what to write for the day. I was really happy with myself as things were becoming very easy and clear to me. I was enjoying the self-growth.

I'm glad that I finished the appeal, and it was later accepted. The blacklist was removed from my account, and indeed, it was like a win for me. I celebrated it with those who care about my progress, and I felt satisfied.

But recently, I noticed I haven’t done enough with the appeal I passed through. Yeah, I am still receiving heavy downvotes from @buildawhale, and this is understandable. I think this shows that I still have holes to fill or things to do to build my reputation and trust again. I may not know the best approach to apply at this moment, but I hope to keep trying. Maybe with the originality of my posts and how much I am committing to building my account, things might be better for me after now.

So, friends, this post is just a reflection of what I’m going through recently and how willing I am to make things right instead of running away!!